Combination clock and radio receiver assembly



Nov. 19, 19 35. H, v ubr-gvzrqj-gfi 2,021,211

COMBINATION CLOCK AND RADIO RECEIVER ASSEMBLY Filed April '7, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR fim, 12mm Nov. 19, 1935. H. R. VAN DEVENTER COMBINAT1QN CLOCK AND RADIO RECEIVER ASSEMBLY Filed April 7, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Patented Nov. 19, 1935 UNITED COMBINATHON CLQSK AND RADIO RECEIVER ASSEMBLY -tion of Delaware Application April 7, 1932, Serial No. 603,790

1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in a combination clock and .radio receiver assembly and has for its principal object the combination with a clock, preferably one with an electric driving motor, of the tuning condensers and dial as commonly used in a radio receiving set, said. clock, condensers and dial being assembled on a unit subassembly suitable for use in combined clocks and radio receivers of the general type disclosed in the co-pending application Serial No. 603,789; filed April 7, 1932.

Another object of the invention is to produce a combination device of the type described which may be readily mounted in clock cabinets in order to convert them from an ordinary clock into a combination clock and receiving set.

A further object is to provide a combination device of the character described in which the tuning dial for the radio receiving set surrounds the clock dial and is held in rigid alignment therewith, suitable means being provided to illuminate the radio receiving dial while in use.

The invention consists substantially in the construction, combination, location and relative arrangement of parts, all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth as shown by the accompanying drawings and finally pointed out in the appended claim. In the accompanying drawings,

Figure l is a front elevation of the combination device embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a side view partly in section of the device, Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a composite view, the left hand side of the figure being a view on the line 33, Figure 2; the right hand side of the figure being a View immediately behind the mounting plate [2, and

Figure 4 is a rear view of the device, Figure 1.

For the sake of illustration the invention will be described as applied to a combination clock and radio receiver of the type referred to in the aforesaid co-pending application and although the invention will be completely disclosed herein and specific details of the preferred embodiment thereof disclosed, it must be understood that such details are not intended to be limitative of the invention except insofar as set forth in the accompanying claim.

It has been found advantageous to combine a a clock with the chassis of a radio receiving set. Most radio programs are operated on a very close time schedule and constant use is made of a clock in selecting these programs. The correct time is frequently broadcast and users of receiving sets are accustomed to set their clocks from the information obtained over the radio. It is also possible to interconnect the clock with the radio receiving sets so that the clock will at a certain pre-selected time connect the radio set which has been previously tuned in and after 5.. the expiration of a given time disconnect the set. The instant invention facilitates all of the foregoing as it enables the clock and the radio receiving set to be mounted closely adjacent so that the clock dial and the radio receiver tuning 10 dial may be easily observed.

The numeral Ill denotes a wall of a suitable cabinet containing the clock and radio receiver. This is provided with an opening i l in which the combination assembly hereinafter termed the 15 unit is mounted.

All parts of the unit are mounted upon and carried by a mounting plate I2 which is provided with inwardly and outwardly extending ears 53 adapted .to receive screws that secure the plate 20 to the inner wall of the cabinet as shown. On this plate is assembled the clock mechanism which may be of any suitable type and for the sake of illustration, an electric clock mechanism is generally designated by the numeral It, the 25 motor of the clock being supported onthe plate l2 by means of the clamp members l5, l5. A bearing plate I6 is provided to support the shaft ll of the clock mechanism proper which extends rearwardly as shown in Figure 2, the rear end thereof being supported in the rear plate I8 of the unit assembly. A knob I9 is secured to the shaft 1'! and is used for setting the hands of the clock in the usual manner, part of the gear train being shown at 20 and the hour, minute and 3 second hands being shown at 2|, 22 and 23 respectively. As the construction of the clock movement and the driving motor therefor may be Varied within wide limits and is immaterial to this invention, they are not described in detail. 40

Secured to the plate I2 in any suitable manner is a ring 24 which supports a ring gear 25 having teeth on its outer edge. Secured to the ring gear is a pin 25 which passes through a slot 21 in the plate l2. The outer end of this pin is en- 45 gaged by the slotted end 28 of a substantially L-shaped member 29, one end of which is connected at 30 to the shaft 3| of the condensers of the radio receiving set. Any suitable number of condensers may be used, two of these being shown 50 at 32, 33, these comprising the fixed plates 34, 34 and movable plates 35, 35, the latter being secured to'the shaft 3| and movable therewith. The fixed condenser plates are mounted upon a frame comprised of the rear plate N3, the plate 36, the hori- 55 zontal plate 31 and the center plate 38, secured together by any suitable means, such as the posts 39, 39, 49, 4B.

The horizontal plate 37 may also act as a support for other parts of the radio receiver. For example, the tuning coils H, 4| which it is often necessary to locate adjacent to and connected with the condensers 32, 33.

The frame work as just described supporting the condensers and the tuning coils is secured to the unit by means of the post s2 and the knee piece 53, said post being secured in an extension 44 of the plate i2 and the knee being secured to plate 12 or any adjacent portion of the clock mechanism as shown in Figure 2.

The ring 24 supports on its inner surface the usual bezel 45 which holds the usual glass it covering the dial 4'! and the hands of the clock.

The ring gear 25 is cut away on its upper portion and supports a translucent section 48, of celluloid or the like, which may he graduated in degrees and which forms part of and revolves with the gear to the extent permitted by the travel of the pin 26 in the slot 21.

A pinion 58 is meshed with gear 25 and is secured to a sleeve 59 supported on a shaft 5| upon which it is free to turn. To the outer end of is secured the tuning knob 52 and it will be observed that by turning this knob the ring gear 25 will be rotated and that the pin 26 therein will move the L.-shaped member 29 secured to the shaft 3| of the tuning condensers and adjust the same, the adjustment of these condensers being observed through an opening 53 in the front of the ring 24.

A corresponding opening 54 is made in the plate l2 and a suitable 1amp-55 is positioned as shown back of this opening, said lamp being controlled by the switch which connects the radio set. On the downwardly extending portion 56 of the plate I2 is mounted the usual volume control element 5' which is operated by means of the shaft 5|, to the outer end of which is secured the volume control knob 58.

Mounted upon and forming part of the volume control 57 is the switch 59 which is operated by the same shaft as the volume control. As such combination volume controls and switches are well known, these are not described in detail. When the "knob 58 is turned to the extreme left the switch 59 is moved to the off position by means of the member 60 secured to the shaft 5!. When the knob is moved in a clockwise direction the contacts of the switch 59 are closed and as the knob is further revolved in a clockwise direction, the volume control is operated.

An escutcheon plate 6| is provided on the outside of the cabinet in order to form a finish around the front of the unit. 7

It will be seen from therforegoing description that the unit may be assembled and adjusted and wired up for any suitable circuit before being placed in the cabinet l0 and may be placed therein by inserting the same from the back until the outer face contacts with the escutcheon plate 6|. The knobs 52 and 58 are then attached to their respective sleeve and shaft and the screws are put into the ears E3. The assembly of the unit 'is greatly facilitated particularly in respect to the assembly and adjustment of the condenser tuning dial and the adjustment of the condenser plates by being able to assemble the unit outside of a cabinet.

Any suitable circuit may be employed in connection with the receiving set and the circuit forms no part of this invention. A suitable cin cuit is shown and described in the copending ape plication .hereinbefore mentioned. r

What is claimed is:

As a new article of manufacture, a unit assembly to be used in a radio receiver comprising a mounting plate, a ring secured thereto, a ring gear surrounding said ring a shaft carried by said plate, a gear on said shaft in mesh with said ring gear, a. clock dial positioned within and concentric with said ring, clock mechanism mounted on said plate, a second dial associated with said ring and movable therewith, a variable condenser supported by said plate and having a shaft, and a member connecting said condenser shaft and said ring gear whereby the condenser and gear maybe simultaneously adjusted, in accordance with the time of a radio program indicated on the clock dial, by turning said first shaft.

HARRY R. VAN DEVENTER. 

